what would i do in the case of severe bleeding and what not to do?

Question

im doing my nvq in care

Answer 1

First of all get someone (if anyone's available) to call for an ambulance or get help. Then do the following:

WHAT TO DO:

1. Remove any clothing to expose the wound, cover the injury with a sterile wound dressing or pad if you have one (if not with your hand), press the wound firmly for 10 mins (or longer if necessary) until the bleeding stops and if possible raise the injured part above heart level. If bleeding doesn't stop, lay person down on a FIRM surface keeping injury raised and loosen any restricting clothing.

2. Secure dressing firmly (but not too tight). If blood seeps through apply second dressing on top. If bleeding still continues remove both dressings and apply a new one.

3. Watch person for signs of shock (Fast, then weakening pulse, grey-blue tinge to lips and skin, Sweating and cold, clammy skin, dizziness and weakness).

WHAT NOT TO DO:

1. Apply a tourniquet ( tight band around the injured part).

2. Pull out any object in the wound. If there is one present you should place any padding on either side of the object so that the dressing will rest on that and not on the object.

Hope this helps you in your NVQ. Good luck with it!!!

Answer 2

Apply pressure, preferably with some form of padding, though just using a hand will do and see if you can raise the affected part above the level of the heart. This would include raising an arm in the air (if it's an arm that's injusred), or lying a casualty on the floor and raising the legs on a cushion or chair (if a leg is injured).

If the injury is caused by an object that is still in the wound, DO NOT pull it out as it may actually be plugging some blood vessels and preventing more severe bleeding. Also you may cause more damage by pulling something out. In this case, pad and apply pressure around the object, not directly on it.

In all cases, call an ambulance to get them to hospital as quickly as possible.

You will often need to treat for shock, due to the blood loss.

Answer 3

Apply direct pressure, if its an artery you might need to go further and apply pressure at a pressure point. Raise the affected part if possible, and preferably get them in a head down feet up position (quite unhelpful if its their head that's bleeding!!). get help, especially if you can't stop it. Most head wounds always look worse than they are and will stop reasonably quickly with the right first aid.

BUT NEVER USE A TOURNIQUET - they could lose their limb if you do!! This should only be considered by professionals and then the limb has probably been lost already.

I also suggest you complete a First Aid at Work course, it will help you in your caring career more than you would think. St John Ambulance and Red Cross both do courses. If you are employed you might be able to get them to fork out the cost for you.

Answer 4

you can apply direct pressure if there is no foreign body in the way if this is not possible apply indirect pressure, which you do by applying pressure to the nearest vein/arteries which is also closer to the body. only do this for 10 minutes at a time. if you place a dressing on the wound and the blood soaks through don't remove it place another dressing over the top,this will also mean that you need medical help to help stop the bleeding.
also if possible elevate the limb either by raising arm or laying them down and raising legs

never apply a tourniquet

Answer 5

If it's an arm or leg that's bleeding apply pressure and get the patient to raise the appropriate limb above heart height.

Dial 999, do not give the patient anything to eat, drink or smoke and watch out for the signs of shock.

Also keep the patient warm.

Answer 6

Providing there is no foreign body in the wound, apply direct pressure and in the case of a limb, elevate, making sure the patient is lying down. Apply a clean, dry dressing and get medical help.

Answer 7

Apply direct pressure, elevate the injured part, lie the patient down, cover them with a light blanket/coat to keep warm. Offer nil by mouth, reassure them, try to keep them calm. Call for help, or have a bystander call for help, then confirm that help has been called.

Do not attempt to remove any foreign body or impaling object, do not apply a tourniquet, do not attempt to move the patient (other than elevating the injured part and lying them down); observe them for any other injuries and signs of shock.

Answer 8

All of the above but if it is severe arterial bleeding if you know where they are apply pressure on the artery above the wound - heart side - on a pressure point and in very extreme cases apply a tourniquet but release the tension at regular intervals to allow blood flow to the limb.

Answer 9

Lay/sit the patient down, apply direct pressure and raise the limb whilst waiting for medical help. Give reassurance but nothing by mouth.

Answer 10

two great things to have in a first aid kit- a foot long wooden dowel and a round strip of cloth (like from a pillow case) about 2 inches across. so say your knee was bleeding really bad- slide the strip over the wound so that it is right above your knee. take the stick and put it between your skin and the cloth. next, just twist. also, raise the wound above your heart.